Updated:
Amplify LA
Amplify LA was founded in 2014 by Paul Bricault, Brian Lee, and Eric Hwang.
Amplify LA
Amplify LA was founded in 2014 by Paul Bricault, Brian Lee, and Eric Hwang. Bricault previously led the Los Angeles venture practice at Palomar Ventures and served as managing director of the Tech Coast Angels. Brian Lee is a serial entrepreneur who co-founded LegalZoom, ShoeDazzle, and The Honest Company. The firm's wealth origin is tied to the founders' prior entrepreneurial and investment careers, not a single-family fortune. The firm focuses on early-stage venture capital, targeting seed and Series A investments across enterprise software, digital health, fintech, and AI/ML. Amplify LA writes initial checks typically between $500,000 and $2 million and reserves capital for follow-on rounds. Portfolio companies include rideshare startup Lyft (per Crunchbase, via public record), digital health platform Ro, and fintech company Stash. The firm invests primarily in Southern California but has backed founders across the United States. Amplify LA operates from offices in San Diego, San Francisco, and Newport Beach. The firm does not publicly disclose team size, AUM, or total capital deployed. In 2023, Amplify LA raised a new fund, Amplify Capital Partners Fund II, according to SEC filings (per SEC, 2023). The firm also runs an accelerator program, Amplify Founder Fellowship, targeting underrepresented founders. A structural differentiator is Amplify LA's deep integration into Southern California's startup ecosystem, distinct from Silicon Valley-centric funds. The founders leverage their operational experience and angel-investing networks to source deal flow. The firm's accelerator arm provides early pipeline and founder support, creating a funnel for future venture investments.
General information
Firm type
Venture Capital
Year founded
2014
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
San Diego
Corporate office
San Diego, CA, United States
Additional offices
San Francisco, CA, United States · Newport Beach, CA, United States
Principals
Paul Bricault
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Brian Lee
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Eric Hwang
Co-Founder & Managing Director
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Amplify LA?
Investment decisions are made by the three co-founders: Paul Bricault, Brian Lee, and Eric Hwang. Bricault brings a venture capital background from Palomar Ventures, while Lee is an entrepreneur behind LegalZoom, ShoeDazzle, and The Honest Company. Hwang has a finance and operations background.
How does Amplify LA source proprietary deal flow?
Amplify LA taps into the founders' networks from Tech Coast Angels, Palomar Ventures, and their own entrepreneurial ventures. The firm also runs the Amplify Founder Fellowship, an accelerator that provides early deal flow. They focus on Southern California, a region they argue is underserved by traditional Silicon Valley VCs.
Is Amplify LA a single family office or a venture firm?
Amplify LA operates as a venture capital firm, not a family office. It raises capital from institutional investors, high-net-worth individuals, and family offices. The firm manages commingled funds, not a single-family portfolio.
What investment stages does Amplify LA typically target?
Amplify LA targets seed and Series A rounds. Initial check sizes range from $500,000 to $2 million, with reserves reserved for follow-on investments in later rounds.
Which sectors does Amplify LA explicitly avoid?
Amplify LA does not publicly list sectors it avoids, but its focus areas are enterprise software, digital health, fintech, and AI/ML. The firm has not disclosed interest in deep science, biotech, or hardtech.
What is Amplify LA's connection to the Los Angeles startup ecosystem?
Amplify LA is deeply embedded in the L.A. tech scene. Co-founder Paul Bricault was a managing director of Tech Coast Angels and an early investor in local companies like LegalZoom. The firm's name explicitly ties to the region, and it positions itself as a champion of Southern California startups.
Does Amplify LA participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
Amplify LA primarily makes direct investments in startups. The firm does not publicly disclose fund-of-funds or GP commitment structures. Its accelerator program also invests directly in participating companies.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
Need institutional-grade insight on family offices?
Altss delivers:
Prefer a guided tour?
We’ll walk you through: